Unconventional aspirations meet resistance: Shutdown of The Projector and Singapore's journey towards accepting non-traditional aspirations
Singapore's Independent Cinema The Projector Closes After 11 Years
After 11 years of providing a unique and non-mainstream cinematic experience to Singapore, The Projector, a beloved independent cinema, has announced its sudden closure. The decision comes as a result of rising operational costs, shifting audience habits, a global decline in cinema attendance, and the challenging arts and culture sector in Singapore [1][2][3][4][5].
The Projector's founder, Karen Tan, expressed pride in the community and alternative cultural space the cinema provided. However, she acknowledged that the harsh economic realities left no viable path forward [3][4]. The closure is seen as a significant loss to Singapore's cultural landscape, highlighting the struggles faced by independent arts businesses in sustaining themselves against dominant commercial and technological trends [4].
The cinema, known for its character and soul distinct from the "cookie-cutter" label often given to many Singaporean establishments, also doubled up as an events venue, hosting intimate concerts, themed parties, dialogues with filmmakers, and even vintage markets [1][2][3]. Despite efforts to expand to new spaces, breathe life into underutilized venues, and maintain diverse programming, the pressures ultimately led to the decision to enter voluntary liquidation and cease operations immediately on 19 August 2025 [1][2][3][4][5].
The reasons given for The Projector's exit include rising costs, changing audience habits, and other pressures. Unfortunately, specific information about the reasons for the rising costs faced by The Projector or the impact of its exit on the local cinema industry was not provided [1][2][3]. The length of time The Projector was living on borrowed time is still unclear.
The Projector was more than just a screen for arthouse films. It was a defiant presence in Singapore's cinema landscape, offering a space for niche, alternative films and fostering a vibrant community of film enthusiasts. Its sudden exit is a reminder of the challenges faced by independent businesses in the face of changing consumer habits and economic pressures.
[1] Straits Times, "The Projector to close after 11 years", 19 August 2025. [2] CNA, "Independent cinema The Projector to shut down", 19 August 2025. [3] Channel NewsAsia, "The Projector's founder talks about the closure", 19 August 2025. [4] The Straits Times, "The loss of The Projector to Singapore's cultural landscape", 20 August 2025. [5] TODAY Online, "The Projector's closure: A wake-up call for independent arts businesses", 21 August 2025.
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